River Raider Expedition Snorkel Vs. Rugged Ridge Snorkel
 

Since im getting the XRC Armor fenders(Smittybilt 76880 - Smittybilt XRC Armor Front Fenders for 07-13 Jeep® Wrangler & Wrangler Unlimited JK - Quadratec) for my jeep I need to rethink the snorkel ill be using.

River Raider Expedition Snorkel JK Expedition Snorkel

Rugged Ridge Snorkel Rugged Ridge Expands Line of XHD Snorkel Systems For ’12-’13 JK Jeep :: RockCrawler 4×4 and Offroad Magazine

Anyone have any opinions on these? I feel like with either of them I will have problems mounting lights.

Do any of you guys have either of these, I need some input.

With both of them I feel like its possible to mount a windshield light bar but I also want some spot lights on my hood.

Any other snorkels that will work with these fenders? I know they say a part of it comes out to work with snorkels but I just don't see it.

The rugged ridge is the best looking snorkel on the market in my opinion. I saw a write up on it where the guy showed the space at the top and it was plenty for a light bar.

That's what I'll be buying when it's time to get one.

Agreed. This kit looks best without the extension, just pop it on when you need it.

Love my Rugged Ridge snorkel. Granted you came run windshield lights I was able to get their hood latch light mount. IMHO the hood lights are much better since I don't get any annoying glare. Lighting has do many options that I'd get the snorkel you want first then look for lights.

I went with AEV's snorkel, here's why.

All are compatible with upper windshield lightbars (on a different thread the RRidge upper snorkel needed to be heated and massaged to fit). You cannot mount RRidge's upper snorkel with windshield spot lights - I use mine more often than other offroad lights, so need to retain them.

River Raider's expedition snorkel is the best looking and most practical IMO given its protected position on the cowl. I would have chosen theirs in a heartbeat but it doesn't fit with dual batteries, that are positioned right underneath.

Admittedly, the AEV snorkel is a lump of plastic snaking up the windshield, however it is unnoticed from driver's seat, well made and tough, and importantly for me works with both dual battery tray and windshield lights.

Just my 2c

I didn't think of mounting lights there, thanks!

good input, I never thought of River Raiders not working with duel batteries. That's something I wanted too.

I was originally going to go with the AEV snorkel but the fenders I want just don't seem like they would work with it.

Seems like I'm back at square 1!

as you know, the XRC fenders won't work with AEV snorkel, so its gonna be the other mods that make your decision on snorkel. The dual batteries were an important upgrade for us to use a camping fridge, and extended lighting use (although newer LED lights dont pull as much power as older bulbs).

good luck.

I guess I could always throw a battery in the back if needed

I'd go with that. My plan is eventually to go with a smaller muffler, cut out the Pan in the floor of the cargo area, weld in a deeper one, and mount dual batteries back there with a compressor.

Long and short of it, it's easier to route wires than it is to route air ducts. Get the better snorkel, then figure out the battery situation.

I debated long and hard between AEV and rugged ridge.

I don't really like the river raider because it won't support dual batteries but I've heard great things about it

I didn't like aev because of the look and the cut. I know it's an easy cut but it's a cut and it's just my opinion that not cutting is a better option

Why I went with rugged ridge:
- clean install and can be returned to stock
- great look. I get compliments from people who don't even know what it is!
-sleek with two options. Low mount or high ram

What I didn't like about RR:
- I was worried about the airbox seal but after installing I realized...id you can follow instructions and don't use too much rtv then you'll be fine
- I have windshield lights and it sucks that I can't use the high ram if wanted but honestly I don't intend on submerging my jeep very deep. This was more for small situations where I get a bit nervous about how deep the water might be. In addition to that I'm thinking about possibly making a quick disconnect to my wiring so I have the option to take the light off if absolutely needed. It's a thought.

I would say get the RR. I love it.


Attachment 429993

As an alternative to the A-pillar lights you can get a hood mounting kit for a couple different size led light bars. I know there several companies that have hood mount kits and several led light bar options available. This as well as the hood latch mounting can eliminate the situation of snorkels not allowing use of A-pillar mounted lights. I my self have the RR snorkel (not installed yet. too cold). I also never liked the look of A-pillar lights. If I ever need more light than the planned bumper and roof rack lighting than the hood mount will be for me. You can go to Rigid's website for some pics of their hood mount setup, but others are available.

thanks for all the input everyone!

most people dont like the way it looks, but i am very happy with my volant...main reason for choosing volant was its a cai and snorkel. I would have went aev if they didnt use the oem airbox.

I ended up going with the rugged ridge snorkel and windshield lightbar.
Like others have said, it is the most practical and best looking in my opinion, and able to put back to stock, mostly. I like being able to swap from tall to short.

Attachment 430086



Attachment 430087

With this setup you do lose a small amount of vision forward of the passenger A-pillar, but I like not having the snorkel out on the side of the Jeep. In my mind it's less likely to get damaged.

Do you have pics?

what lightbar is that?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67956300@N03/8489400102/http://www.flickr.com/photos/67956300@N03/8489400102/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/67956300@N03/, on Flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67956300@N03/8211567901/http://www.flickr.com/photos/67956300@N03/8211567901/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/67956300@N03/, on Flickr

That's an interesting looking snorkel. So its the classic Volant intake with that attached to it? How big of a hole do you need to cut into ur hood?

Rugged Ridge bar with seven Blitzpro 6LZ flood lights

What's up with the wires from your windshield to your hood? Brush guards?

I'm very happy with my Rugged Ridge snorkel!!! :thumbsup:

I can run both the ram air snorkel or the lower expedition style within a 10 minute change since I added plugs to my windshield light. I leave the light mounted to the bracket and just unbolt the bracket and take off the whole assembly, then reverse when I want to change it back. It just adds to the LEGO factor of the JK...

Sorry for the crappy cell phone garage pics, but....

Your jeep looks awesome Hinrichs--that's a cool snorkel too!!! :thumbsup:

how bright are those?

like a 4" or something and some small ones to hold the snorkel down since it pivots when the hood is raised up, i figured i can always get another hood if i want to go back to stock someday...i do plan on possibly adding hood louvers anyway so i wasnt concerned with cutting the hood

DUDE!!! This was my upcoming project for over the weekend. I'm gonna PM you for some details

I have the set up u want. Not hard and love it!



Attachment 430363



Attachment 430364

can you fit a windshield light bar with it?

Lookin good!

I would think so but not 100% sure, the top part may block a very small ammount since the scoop is larger than the aev

I was thinking of getting the Volant snorkel myself. My hood already has the louvers on it. I really hope i can run both.

Attachment 430436

from looking at the picture, i think you would be fine, the snorkel doesnt really take up too much space, if you find my build thread i put down where i got it from i think, it was around 575 shipped rather than around 800 like most other places have it

OK. Thank man.

Amazon has it pretty cheap atm.

Just installed the Rugged Ridge Snorkel and really like the looks, can't wait to try it out!!! I like the fact that there's still room for a 50" light bar across the top with this setup......

Attachment 430452



Attachment 430453

Muchos gracias!

Not sure if you made your decision or not ...

I was planning to go with the RR snorkel as well as I thought it was the best looking of the bunch and only required a hole in the cowl instead of the hood. Only disadvantage was that I would have to loose my windshield lights.

Talking with one of the forum vendors that I was going to place the order with ... they talked me out of it. Apparently they have had a lot come back with either cracking pipes or leaks. A considerably high return rate and more then any other snorkel that they carried before. I do trust him as I've dealt with them before and they are a big vendor here. He also gave me the number of a couple local shops that I could get the RR snorkel from for the same price so it wasn't a issue of him trying to make a sale on something else.

In short, I'm now waiting for the AEV to get into stock and going with that one.

Thanks for the info, that's good to know

That's the first I've heard of leaky or cracking pipes :/

Hate to say this but...did the same person happen to install these "faulty" snorkels?

x2 with Jeepwave...

To the OP, RR is taking care of those with any early design issues (me included). I haven't heard of cracking pipes either. RR is a stand-up company and I wouldn't rule out their snorkel...

No, it's one of the online vendors here so it's sold to quite the variety of people.

I agree, I haven't heard much in the way of leaking and such but there have been a few posts around here with a variety of issues. While RR will probably take care of you and replace it if you find a fault ... I'd rather not 'find' this fault when I am fording and intake some water. A bit too late at that point.

AEV has been tried, tested and true. RR's snorkel is still relatively new on the market. A part of me still does want to go with the RR but I don't want to be screwed over in the end :doh: dam choices.